Control device



Nov. 3, 1942. w. A. RAY 2,300,807

CONTROL DEVICE Filed July 10, 1939 X z g E f 35 WILL/21M A. 84v

11v VENTOk;

BY a6,

A TTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 3, 1942 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CONTROL DEVICE William A. Ray, Glendale, Calif.

1939, Serial No. 283,575

Application July 10,

3 Claims.

My present invention relates to electrical control systems in which circuit controlling contacts are progressively moved, as by means responsive v circuit is first established through a limiting resistance' forming part of the device and, upon continued movement, said resistance is shortcircuited. Upon movement in the opposite direction, the limiting resistance is again connected in the circuit, and, upon continued movement, the circuit is opened.

It is a further object of my invention to provide, in a device of the character described, blasing means for a contact member, which means also functions as a limiting resistance 'for the controlled circuit.

Another object of my invention is the provision of a control device of the character described which is simple, compact, eifective and relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and which, while not so limited, has particular utility in the thermostatic control ot a heating device, such as a water boiler.

Inherent advantages of the device of my invention reside in the reduction of arcing at the contacts, and also in the production of a definite differential of operation of electrical translating means in which a predetermined amount of current is required for operation of the same to one position but a less amount of current sufllces to maintain the means in said position, when such translating means is connected in a circuit controlled by the device of my invention.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be found in the description, the drawing, and the appended claims.

For complete understanding of my invention, reference may be had to the following detailed descri tion and accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a control device embodying my invention, shown diagrammatically associated with other apparatus;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the such as a water boiler, having an internally threaded boss l2 for receiving an electrical control device casing l3 provided with insulated terminals It to which are connected by wires II a source of electrical energy It and an electrically operated valve I1.

This valve, which is adapted to control fuel supply to the heating device, is shown by way of example only and is fully described in my copending application, Serial No. 222,673, filed August 2, 1938. It is of the fiuid pressure operated, pilot valve controlled type, employing electromagnetic means for actuating the pilot valve, which means include a pilot valve member biased to one controlling position and movable into another controlling pos'ition upon energization of said electromagnetic means sufllcient to overcome said bias. 7

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 2 and. 3, mounted in the casing l3, and secured thereto by screws I8, is a generally cylindrical member I! to the inner portion of which is secured, by a hollow screw 20, a U-shaped bimetallic member 21 which carries on its lower end por tion a U-shaped bracket 22 which is secured to the bimetallic member by rivets 23 and is electrically insulated from the member by washers 24 and strip 2!.

Threaded in an upset portion of the bracket 22 is a screw 26 provided in its upper end with a first electrical contact member 21. A second contact member 28 freely extends through openings in the bimetallic member 2| and insulating strip 25 and is urged upwardly by the force of a compression spring 29 which is soldered or welded at its ends to the second contact member 28 and to the bracket 22. This spring is preferably of metal having a high coefficient of resistance,

such as stainless steel.

A lever ll, pivotally connected to the member i! by a pin 3!, insulatingly supports a third con- 38. An insulating button 40, urged by a compression spring 4! into engagement with the upper end of third contact member 32, maintains the rear portion of lever is in contact with the inner end of screw SI.

lectrical connection oi the first contact 21 and of the third contact 32 with the insulated terminals II is made by wires 42 and 48, respectively.

Referring now to the diagrammatic view oi Fig. 4, the numeral 44 indicates a bimetallic member carrying a first contact C1 to which is connected, by spring 45, a second contact C: operable with a fixed third contact Cs. An electromagnetic translating device 46, including a movable armature l1, and a source of electrical energy is are connected in circuit with the first and the third contacts.

The operation of the control system will be more readily understood by reference to Fig. 4.

Assuming that the bimetallic member 44 is so arranged that upon decrease in temperature it tends to move the contacts, carried by it upward, upon engagement of contact C: with contact C: a circuit is then completed through the translating device 48, the source 48, contact Ci, spring I! and contacts C: and C3. The constants of the circuit are so arranged that, on account of the limiting resistance of spring 45, insufiicient current is passed to energize the electromagnet 48 to attract its armature 41.

Upon continued movement of the bimetallic memberrthe spring l! is compressed, permitting engagement of contacts C: and C1. The resistance of spring 45 now being short-circuited, suificient current flows in the circuit to cause the electromagnet to attract its armature.

Assuming that the armature in its attracted position completes an external circuit to open an electrically operated valvecontrolling fuel supply to a heating device with which the bimetallic member is associated (or, that the armature directly controls a pilot valve as in the device i1), upon the resulting increase in temperature, the bimetallic member will now move in a downward direction. When the contacts C1 and C: separate, the resistance of the spring 4! will again be introduced in the circuit and the current therethrough accordingly reduced. However, as is common with such electromagnetic devices as are here shown, the reduced current sufiices to maintain the armature in attracted position. Upon continued movement of the bimetallic member, the contacts C: and C: separate, opening the circuit and permitting the armature to drop out.

It will be seen that thus arcing at the contacts, particularly as may be caused by fluttering," is minimized, and also that a definite ditierential of operation of the translating device is efi'ected-dependent upon the predetermined position of contact Cs with respect to contact C3.

The operation of the device shown in Fig. 2 is identical with that just described, the first, second and third contacts (21, II and I2) corresponding to contacts C1, C1 and Cs, respectively, and spring 29 to spring 45.

In a practical embodiment of my invention, the spring 20 or 45, of stainless steel, has a resistance of seven ohms. This value is suitable for use in circuit with an electromagnetic device having two ohms coil resistance and a thermoelectric generating device having one ohm internal resistance and an E. M. F. of approximately 0.25 volt.

Obviously, spring resistances may be chosen suitable for the operation of other electrical circuits and my invention also comprehends the use illustration.

oi resilient members of material having high spe- 7'6 cific resistance to: biasing the first and the second contacts apart. Such members take the form oi, for example, hollow resilient pads or elongated bent. strips of fibrous material impregnated with a conducting matter such as carbon.

The predetermined temperature for operation of the translating device is determined by movement or screw 34, which efiects variation 01 the relatively fixed position of the third contact It with respect to th other contacts. Determination of the dliierentiai of operation of the translating device is efi'ected by movement of screw as to bring the first'contact nearer to or further from the second contact.

While the device of my present invention has particular utility in the control of electromagnetic translating devices, such as herein described. it is not so limited as other electric devices such as, ior example, a heat motor may be eificiently controlled by it.

And while I have herein shown and described a specific embodiment of my invention by way of it is to be tmderstood that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit 0! my invention. Iintend therefore that my invention be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

movable in response to change in a condition, a first electrical contact member carried by said movable member, a second electrical contact member, a resilient electrical conducting member of material having high specific resistance connected to said second and to said first contact members and urging them apart, a third electrical contact member. relatively fixed with respect to said movable member and so positioned as to be engaged by said second contact when said movable member is moved in one direction, said second and said first contact members being so positioned as to directly engage with one another upon continued movement of said movable member in said one direction and after engagement 01' said third and said second contacts, and meansior connecting said first and said third contacts in an electrical circuit.

2. In an electrical control device, a member movable in response to change in a condition, a first electrical contact member carried by said movable member, a second electrical contact member, a spring 0! metal having high specific resistance connected to said second and to said first contact members and urging them apart, a third electrical contact member relatively fixed with respect to said movable member and so positioned as to be engaged by said second contact when said movable member is moved in one direction, said second and said first contact members being so positioned as to directly engage with one another upon continued movement of said movable member in said one direction and after engagement of said third and said second contacts, means for adiustably moving said third contact with respect to said second contact, and means for connecting said first and said third contacts in an electrical circuit.

3. In an electrical control device, a casing adapted to be mounted in heat conducting relation to a heating-device, a thermostatic member secured within said casing and movable in response to change in temperature or said heating device, a first contact member carried by said movable member, a second contact member, a

1. In an electrical control device, a member tinued movement of said movable member in said one direction and after engagement 0! said third and said second contacts, means for adiustably moving said third contact with respect to said,

second contact, means for adiustably moving said first contact with respect to said second contact,

and means'ror connecting said first and said' third contacts in an electrical circuit. 

